Earlier this summer, one California bus accident victim had a $15.3 million verdict against a public transit district upheld by a state court. This verdict may seem extreme to some individuals, but the truth of the matter is that when individuals are injured during bus accidents, the medical costs of their injuries alone can add up to millions of dollars. When one adds in the cost of lost wages and pain and suffering, this verdict does not seem extreme in the least.
Bus accidents can be disorienting, to say the least. As a result, many bus accident victims may find that in the wake of their accidents, they are unsure of what to do or where to turn to for help. Thankfully, attorneys experienced in bus accident cases understand this disorientation and can help victims to begin to take legal action against the negligent parties that contributed to the bus accidents which harmed them.
Because buses are classified as common carriers under the law, they are generally held to higher safety standards than various other forms of transportation. As a result, it can be easier to hold negligent bus owners, bus drivers and other entities accountable for harm suffered than it can be if other kinds of vehicles are involved in accidents.
It is important to note that because buses are held to different standards and some buses are publically owned that specific procedures must be followed in filing a claim against negligent bus owners and drivers. As a result, if you have been injured in a bus accident, please consider speaking with an experienced attorney as soon as you possibly can so that the paperwork involved in filing a claim against negligent parties can be properly processed.
Source: Findlaw Injured, “Injured on a Bus? 5 Legal Points to Consider,” Daniel Taylor, Aug. 5, 2014
